DisclaimerThe information contained in this site is provided for your review and convenience. It is not intended to provide legal advice with respect to any federal, state, or local regulation. You should consult with legal counsel and appropriate authorities before interpreting any regulations or undertaking any specific course of action.

Plain English Guide to Regulations
Wastewater Discharges

State and Local Regulations
A metal finishing or electroplating facility that discharges process wastewater to a city sewer system (publicly owned treatment works, or POTW) is an
indirect discharger and is subject to pretreatment standards. Although pretreatment standards are mostly based on federal laws, discharges to a POTW are regulated primarily by the POTW itself, rather than the State or EPA. In small municipalities, the State or Regional EPA may be the regulating agency ("
Control Authority").

To determine which agency is your Control Authority, ask someone in your state environmental agencys water division. Use this locator to find the right person to contact. This locator also has links to state regulations.